apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I would suggest filling them in with wood putty, but I'd be worried about matching that yellowish finish on the dresser. Is that possible? To match that finish? I've never had to do something like that. Then you can buy whatever pulls you'd like for it.

Regardless, good luck and I hope someone has a good suggestion for you!

Laura
http://www.grafxnerd.net

This would only be a temporary fix at best, but you could spray paint the pewter ones to match the brass ones. I doubt the paint would last very long before scratching off, but at least you wouldn't have to look at the pewter while you hunt for the perfect replacement hardware.

I've been coveting these pulls for a while now.

http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshow100206/templates/selection.phtml?n=v

i wish they had a picture of the back of them...

I had the same problem and decided to highlight the holes rather than hide them. Bought some aluminum rods at the art store and filled the existing holes with aluminum plugs. Easy to cut the rods with a fine saw and then sand the ends smooth with 400-800 grit sandpaper. I just put a little glue on them before pushing them into place.

The other option I could see for your dresser is to put two small handles - like the ones in the middle that you like - in both the holes side by side. Or, find a pull of any size that would have a backplate that covers the original holes.

Buy another dresser with some pulls you like and cannibalize the pulls. If you don't like that idea you could shop online for antique pulls. Or you could try a local hardware store. I'd recommend Lowe's. They have alot of different styles especially some mcm type ones.

Checked out @bettingimnot's link and also found these pulls that would cover your existing holes, though definitely a distinct style that may or may not be your taste. (In case the long link doesn't work, they are the Large Eastlake Drawer Pulls - comes in a brass that might match)

http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshow7795/templates/selection.phtml?n=v&fin_selected=UN&img=Z002156

You might look online at Lee Valley, they have a huge hardware selection of drawer pulls and knobs; I have bought hardware and tools from them many times, they have excellent customer service...
knobs
or
drawer pulls

Try also Van Dykes Restorers.

http://www.vandykes.com/

I've had good luck with them for hard to find items.

Go to either Simon's or Gracious homes with pull and see what harware/pull you can find that will cover the holes. A simple leather pull may work nicely...

I have seen similar furniture with deliberately mis-matched knobs, so this is not surprising.

If you like brass knobs, I'd look for some with a similar style as the little ones but of larger proportions. If the knob is wide enough, it will probably disguise any repairs you do to the second hole and the finish. You might even find some vintage ones, although that many all at once seems a bit unlikely...

I'm guessing that the finish on the wood is yellow shellac. If so, and you can probably test an inconspicuous spot on the back to find out, you might be able to smooth the spot under the old hardware with a little acetone (or acetone based fingernail polish remover) applied gently and quickly with a scrap of fabric. (Cotton balls stick. Voice of experience!) The acetone softens shellac and if you work quickly you can redistribute it to disguise the mismatch. If you aren't careful and quick (before the shellac sets up again), you can make a mess and then may want to refinish everything, so try this at your own risk!!

If it's shellac, another possibility is to apply a tiny bit of new shellac with a sponge brush or something. (Maybe shellac eats sponge??? Not sure.)

I'd fill the extra hole with wood filler or wood dowel, depending on your DIY craftiness and available tools.

Oh, just had another thought...
If you like the shape of the silver color knobs, you can probably have them replated in brass. Check the yellowpages for electroplating.

The drawer knobs in the center aren't supposed to match the pulls on the ends.

Just get some simple pewter barrel pulls for the center drawers.

Unfortunately, these don't come with a brass finish, but it may give you some ideas:
- Round Backplate (from Rejuvenation)
- Star Backplate (from Rejuvenation)

You can basically choose any knob style you want, and thread it through the backplate -- which should cover the existing holes. (Click to see the "ready made pairings" in the item descriptions to get an idea of how they word with the knobs.)

Thanks muchly for the great suggestions. I don't need the new pulls to match the middle ones, rather, I'd like them to match the piece! Will send pix once I sort it out.

http://www.lahardware.com/store/index.lasso?cat1=contemporary&cat2=cabinet&tmpl=2&skp=0

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/subcategory/list.do?catalog=room&category=rm_accessories&subcategory=acc_knob_pull

below, check out "finishes", too:

http://www.rockymountainhardware.com/cat_master.asp?menumasterCat=4

why not get large knobs, check images of some vintage gilbert rhodes cabinets for inspiration. you can fill in the 2 holes and drill a new single hole. the large knob will hide the patch work. make a sketch of your dresser with different knobs to see if it looks good. good luck.

I am going to be refinishing a small set of wood drawers with oil based high gloss paint, and in the process, changing out the hardware, from pulls to knobs. There will be 2 screw holes left from the older hardware in each drawer; does you recommend filling in each of these left over holes with putty, then sanding before repainting?